Martian Child

Martian Child
by Menno Meyjes

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DVD details

Actor: Amanda Peet, Bobby Coleman, Joan Cusack, John Cusack, Sophie Okonedo
Director: Menno Meyjes
Brand: Warner Brothers
Cinematographer: Robert D. Yeoman
Editor: Bruce Green
Producer: Mike Drake
Producer: Toby Emmerich
Producer: David Gerrold
Producer: Mark Kaufman
Producer: Matt Moore
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Original Language), Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround; English (Subtitled); Spanish (Subtitled)
Format: AC-3, Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, DVD-Video, NTSC, Subtitled, Widescreen
Picture Format: 1.85:1
Running Time: 107 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2008-02-12
Audience Rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Studio: New Line Cinema

DVD Reviews of Martian Child

DVD Review: Sickly sweet
Summary: 2 Stars

Sticky sweet story about a widower who adopts a kid that no one wants (and who thinks he's from Mars). If this wasn't John Cusack, I wouldn't have made it through the first 15 minutes without throwing up. By-the-book storytelling, cliches abounding, and sappy, happy ending. Cuscack is so watchable though that he can make even this dreck seem okay. This was the perfect airplane movie - it passed the time, but I'm glad I didn't watch it at home when I could be doing something else.

DVD Review: Have some tissues handy
Summary: 5 Stars

A very touching story about a widowed man who adopts a troubled boy. John Cusack gives a top notch performance and the young actor who plays the boy does an excellent job as well. I very much enjoyed the commentary that comes with the DVD. It gives you more insight into the movie and story. Both men and women will enjoy this movie.

DVD Review: Blindsided
Summary: 5 Stars

First some background, I am a widower and father of a daughter whom is challenged and age 13. We go grocery shopping where, attached to the grocery store is a video rental shop. I do not have a membership and not every time we go grocery shopping, we visit it, but occasionally, as a treat we duck inside before we begin to grocery. You see the thing is, we never know how long we will be able to afford cable service, so my theory is check the previously viewed, on sale, or 3 for twenty dollars rack and pick three. That way if we loose the ability to continue cable. We have built up a video library. Now that has not happened yet, but with the economy in such unsure times... well you never know. Anyway about the movie, the Martian Child. I always give my daughter first pick, and she picked hers. Now, I have always been a fan of Mr.Cusacks, so when I saw his picture on the dvd box and read the title, I knew... I had never seen this before, not on cable... or even in the movie list at theaters, I choose this. I am totally serious, (I never read the back of the DVD case, so when we got home of course we watched my daughter pick first and when it was over, I put on this movie, not knowing what to expect and the only thought that crossed my mind was "My Favorite Martian". I watched this sight-un-read. Well my little girl fell fast asleep before 3 minutes of it was played. I watched it all and by the end, I realized; I had struck gold. Now I may sound bias because I am a long time fan of Mr. Cusack. But never has any of his films struck a chord in my heart as this one has and I am telling anyone who reads these reviews... and by the way, this is my first. If stars of Gold are the way it is rated then (5) Gold stars was not enough. If I could, I will give this one (10) Gold Stars. I am honored to have bought this no matter what. When it was over I rushed over to my computer and dialed in Amazon to read if there was indeed any reviews. I read a few of them to see what was written and was compelled to write this. If anyone should read this, whether your a fan of Mr. Cusack or not, and use these as a "Do I Buy It or Not?" I my humble opinion, You will "absolutely" not being throwing away your money. I am so delighted with this film, if not for the late hour I would wake up my daughter and have her enjoy it with me again. I already know I will watch this many more times myself. It is going on my list of "Favorite films" and in e-mails to all my friends. Thank you for taking time to read this, my first review and using the words of another famous and never forgotten hero of our time and I hope he rests in peace..."I hope we pass the audition"

DVD Review: Precious Movie
Summary: 5 Stars

I loved this movie. I've watched it several times, and I just ordered it on DVD. This is a heartrending story about learning how to love after total rejection and loss. For David, it's an excerise in risking loss again, and for Dennis it's a case of finding real love for the first time in his young life and learning to trust that it won't fail him again. John Cusak is wonderful as David...gentle and sensitive, but the little boy who plays Dennis, Bobby Coleman, is stellar. He is precious, and I've never, ever, ever, ever, ever seen a sweeter little actor.

DVD Review: Family Life
Summary: 4 Stars

When a sciencefiction writer, played by John Cusak, decides to adopt a boy, little did he know, at first, that the boy claims to be from Mars. Surprise, surprise! The situation that develops is not aided by his quirky frind nor his sister as he learns just what is required to be a father. The reality of such a situation is greatly displayed by all of the players as they carry out their 'so called' help.

Description of Martian Child

After decades of playing single men in romantic comedies from the classic SAY ANYTHING to the critical favorite HIGH FIDELITY the year 2007 marks a change for John Cusack. With roles as fathers in 1408 GRACE IS GONE and MARTIAN CHILD the beloved actor grows up and deserves some of the highest praise of his career. In MARTIAN CHILD David Gordon (Cusack) is a successful science fiction author plagued by both the death of his wife and writer s block. When a group home worker (Sophie Okonedo) tries to pair him with a young boy named Dennis (Bobby Coleman) David initially resists. But once David spends time with Dennis he realizes how special the boy is. The outsider (and sci-fi fan) in David thinks he might just understand Dennis best since the child believes that he s from Mars and he ll return there soon. David and Dennis struggle to create the most unconventional of families as Dennis strives to learn more about being human.MARTIAN CHILD is a moving drama that works because of the genuine performances of everyone involved but it rides on both the experienced shoulders of Cusack and those of his young costar Coleman. Both excel at communicating their characters isolation and eventual connection but it s Coleman s work in his first major role that is such a pleasant surprise. Supporting turns from Cusack s sister Joan (who plays his sister in the film) and Amanda Peet add emotional depth to the sweet story. MARTIAN CHILD is based on the autobiographical novel by David Gerrold who is most famous for writing the STAR TREK fan favorite "The Trouble with Tribbles."Format: DVD MOVIE Genre:?COMEDY/FAMILY GATHERINGS UPC:?794043106835 Manufacturer No:?N10683

The skeptical, melancholy eyes of John Cusack anchor Martian Child, a sweet but not cloying story of a widowed man who adopts a misfit kid who believes he's from another planet. David Gordon (Cusack) is a successful science-fiction author--which is perhaps what leads a children's counselor (Sophie Okonedo, Dirty Pretty Things) to pair him with a would-be extra-terrestrial named Dennis (Bobby Coleman). Reluctantly at first, David tries to communicate with Dennis by fostering his belief--but as they grow attached to each other, the administrators of the organization that put them together sees this playing along as a failure to be a proper parent and threatens to take Dennis away. The first two-thirds or so of Martian Child are marvelous; though the scenario could be saccharine, the script and performances are full of details and complexities that make it feel genuine and affecting. The last third, unfortunately, seems to be the result of studio meddling, for the themes and emotions become awkwardly overstated. But what will stay with you are the moments of refreshing honesty and tender trust from the earlier part of the movie; the ending, clumsy and tone-deaf though it is, doesn't wipe away the delicate earlier interplay of David and Dennis. Also featuring Oliver Platt (Funny Bones), Amanda Peet (Igby Goes Down), and Anjelica Huston (Prizzi's Honor). --Bret Fetzer

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